In our last Big Ten update, Full Court went out on a limb, forecast that the Illinois, then 0-7 in conference play, was poised for a turnaround. In fact, we held our collective breath, crossed our collective fingers and toes and also predicted that the Illini was actually begin that turnaround with a win this week over the reigning Big Ten regular-season champions, Michigan State.

In our last Big Ten update, Full Court went out on a limb, forecast that the Illinois, then 0-7 in conference play, was poised for a turnaround. In fact, we held our collective breath, crossed our collective fingers and toes and also predicted that the Illini was actually begin that turnaround with a win this week over the reigning Big Ten regular-season champions, Michigan State.

And, lo and behold, the big news of the week is that Illinois, after several close calls, finally pulled one out for their first Big Ten win -- a road win, no less -- over Michigan State, prevailing 71-62 in overtime on Thursday.

In other midweek action, Indiana gave Ohio State a battle for 20 minutes, taking a lead at halftime and literally dominating the boards, before Tayler Hill got her groove on and the Buckeyes ran away with it in the second half, 73-55.

Purdue took no-surprise road win against Northwestern to remain undefeated atop the conference standings and Penn State dominated Michigan, 77-56, to let everyone know their early conference slump is over.

Nebraska defeated Iowa at home, 60-53. And Wisconsin won its second-straight conference game, 78-72, over Minnesota.

So right now, it appears the four byes for the play-in games of the Big Ten Tournament will go to Purdue, Ohio State, Penn State, and Nebraska, although Penn State and Purdue still have the toughest part of their schedules to go, so we could see some movement.

Read on for a closer look at the highlights of this week's Big Ten action, the current league standings, and Full Court's predictions for this weekend's games.

In our last Big Ten update, Full Court went out on a limb, forecast that the Illinois, then 0-7 in conference play, was poised for a turnaround. In fact, we held our collective breath, crossed our collective fingers and toes and also predicted that the Illini was actually begin that turnaround with a win this week over the reigning Big Ten regular-season champions, Michigan State.

The Lady Dawgs have only two days two regroup before heading into another classic showdown on Sunday when they host the No. 7/9 Tennessee Lady Vols.

For Kentucky, it was, as usual, the defense that keyed the win. The Wildcats, the best team in one of the best conferences in the NCAA, forced 30 turnovers, stretching their streak of forcing double-digit mistakes by opponents to 103 games.

A 33-10 run, spanning the end of the first half and the beginning of the second, sealed the deal.

No. 6 Kentucky continued its undefeated run through the Southeastern Conference, this time humbling Auburn, 66-48.
Meanwhile,&nbsp; No. 17/15 Georgia stumbled on the road, falling, 48-68, at Vanderbilt, in midweek Southeastern Conference action on Thursday, Jan. 26.
The Lady Dawgs have only two days two regroup before heading into another classic showdown on Sunday when they host the No. 7/9 Tennessee Lady Vols.
For Kentucky, it was, as usual, the defense that keyed the win.